Update: I was unfortunately not aware of Shamus Young's severe criticism of Fallout 3 available here to link in the original piece and I regret that. It dovetails rather nicely with what I've written and it's much better executed than my piece. I strongly recommend anyone...

The Sims™ changed the face of gaming in the new millennium
and quickly became the #1 PC game of all time. In the next generation
of The Sims, The Sims™ 2 , players control their Sims over
an entire lifetime for the first time. Every choice that is made has
a relevant and dramatic effect on the life of a Sim. More life-like
Sims, all-new gameplay, and the ground-breaking addition of genetics,
with the DNA of Sims passed down through generations gives players
a more vivid, realistic, and in-depth Sims experience. All of this
takes place in a new, amazingly life-like 3-D world. Experience the
crazy, unpredictable ride of a Sim's lifetime in The Sims 2 .

Key Features

 Next Generation Simulation: Starting
with a personality that you give them or they inherit from their parents,
your Sims will develop in unique ways based on your choices and influence.
As they grow, your Sims will collect memories that shape who they are,
their options and their behaviors. Guiding your Sims through "Life's
Big Moments" takes on new importance but still maintains a sense of
humor. Will players be able to successfully lead their Sims through
such important events as a first step, first crush, or marriage proposal,
all while the clock is ticking?

 Next Generation Sims: The Sims in The
Sims 2 are more intelligent, and more aware and responsive
to both other Sims and their surroundings. Sims truly come to life
expressing moods and feelings throug h m ore realistic body animations
and, for the first time, life-like facial animations. They form complex
relationships and are able to distinguish between family and friends,
platonic friendships and romantic love. Sims in The Sims 2 now
have DNA and pass along physical characteristics and traits to their
offspring. Sims both resemble and behave like their ancestors. Mirroring
real life, the appearance of the Sims now change over time. In addition
to getting older, Sims that spend too much time on the couch will
develop a paunch and Sims that work out will enjoy rock solid abs.

 Next Generation 3D: An entirely new
3-D engine makes the world of The Sims 2 more life-like and
dynamic. Zoom in close to see every detail from the food in the fridge
to the expression on your Sims' faces.

 Next Generation Customization: An all-new "Create
A Sim" lets you make unique Sims from a vast selection of facial features,
hairstyles, and outfits. Easy access to player made content, opens
up endless customization options. In The Sims 2 players create
dream homes both inside and out. Now you can build decks, attics, hillside
foundations and three stories. Perfect the interior of your home with
hundreds of new objects and a new design mode.

Content on this page comes directly from press releases and fact sheets provided by publishers and developers and was not written by the Game Revolution staff.